Dental hygiene is the regular maintenance of your teeth and gum so as to prevent dental problems. These dental problems include bad breath, gum diseases, mouth sores, tooth sensitivity, yellow teeth, cavities, teeth grinding, tooth erosion and toothaches. Therefore, dental hygiene is a systematic approach to caring for your teeth and gum that will involve your own input and that of a dentist. The basic method of dental hygiene is brushing which should be done on a daily basis and at least twice a day or after every meal. The other method is dental cleaning which will require you to visit the dentist. Basically, dental hygiene is a preventive oral health which includes regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, using antiseptic mouthwash, avoiding sugary foods and drinks, and regularly visiting your dental hygienist preferably after every 6 months for check ups.
The importance of observing a good dental hygiene are immense and can not be overlooked. Most importantly a good dental hygiene translates to an attractive smile and an improved self confidence. Additionally, observing a good dental hygiene will eliminate tooth decay, bad breath and other dental problems which are not only embarrassing but also have lengthy treatment procedures which are very costly. In regular check ups a dental hygienist will be able to detect early signs of dental condition and treat it early.
A dental hygienist is a person who is responsible in providing a patient with educational, clinical and therapeutic services that will enhance the oral health of the patient. For dental hygienist to be able to perform all the above tasks he must be well trained, and have the skills and knowledge to prevent, detect and treat any dental problem. In addition, they help the dentist in treating patients, but work independently in delivering their dental services. A career as dental hygienist is very good for anybody who can apply attention to detail and precision, possess good eye-hand coordination and has a good time management.
The dental act in the state regulates the procedures a dental hygienist can perform in the state of California. His services include performing oral health assessments which include taking a patients health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and saliva testing and taking vital signs like pulse, blood pressure and respiration. He also takes, develops and interprets dental X-rays. The other duty of a dental hygienist is to make impressions of the teeth for plaster study and mouth guard construction. He also tries to understand the stages of treatment and outcomes by taking photographs of both the interior and exterior oral structure.
When it comes to treatment and preventive measures he is responsible of administering aesthetic injections and removing plagues and stains in the gum. A dental hygienist is also supposed to polish the teeth and perform dental restorations. Additionally, he also performs root planning for non-surgical periodontal therapy. Other responsibility includes preparing teeth for placements of braces, applying decay preventive agents, teaching dental hygiene to patients and also counsels patients on the various ways of plague control.
To become a dental hygienist in California you go through a dental hygiene program which is either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. An associate’s degree is a two year program and is offered through community and technical colleges. A bachelor’s degree is a four program offered at the universities and offer a broader educational base than an associate’s degree. To qualify for a dental hygiene program you must have a high school diploma or GED, minimum of 18 years and high school courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and English. Additionally, you must attain minimum average score of ‘C’. After graduating you must be licensed by the state of California by passing a National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
There are various dental hygiene schools in California offering online programs in dental hygiene. These schools include University of southern California, University of the Pacific, Kaplan College, Carrington College California, Concorde Career College, Cypress College, Loma Linda University, Oxnard College, Southwestern College, Shasta College and West Coast University. The following are important things you should consider before enrolling or determining an online school. You should first access yourself and find out what are the reasons of opting for distance learning. In addition, the school you choose must be accredited by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Accreditation.